Information processing apparatus and method for controlling a display device to display images arranged in a matrix pattern

ABSTRACT

An apparatus capable of displaying a plurality of images while a screen is scrolled, including a processing unit configured to process an image to be displayed on a display unit, a display control unit configured to control the display unit to display a plurality of images processed by the processing unit, a scroll control unit configured to set another plurality of images as display targets to be displayed on the display unit by scrolling the displayed plurality of images, and a control unit configured to control the processing unit to process the plurality of images as the display targets such as to prioritize the processing for an image disposed on an upstream side over an image disposed on a downstream side in a moving direction of scrolled images.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/440,974, filed Feb. 23, 2017; which is a Continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/019,914, filed Feb. 2, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.9,620,076, issued Apr. 11, 2017; which claims priority from JapanesePatent Application No. 2010-023201, filed Feb. 4, 2010 which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display control apparatus capable ofdisplaying a plurality of images and a method for controlling thedisplay control apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

There is a conventional digital device that can simultaneously display aplurality of images (e.g., photographs) on the same screen (i.e., anindex display screen).

An advanced display device, which is large in screen size and excellentin accuracy, is usable for the above-described index display. Further,the processing ability of a recently available control device and thestorage capacity of a storage medium are sufficiently high tosimultaneously display many images on the same screen.

In general, a digital device realizing the index display enables usersto scroll a plurality of images on a display screen in an arbitrarydirection by operating an operation member (e.g., a button, a lever, arotary dial, or a touch panel).

On the other hand, to display a plurality of images, a significantphysical processing time is used to perform processing for reading imagedata from a storage medium, decoding image data (including decompressingcompressed image data), resizing image data according to a display size,and rasterizing image data into a video random access memory (VRAM).

When the index display is performed to simultaneously display aplurality of images, the digital device is used to repetitively performthe above-described sequential processing for each of the plurality ofimages. Therefore, it takes a relatively long time to complete displaypreparation processing for all images to be displayed on the samescreen.

Hence, a conventional method discussed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2001-231005 includes changing a display order of eachimage to be displayed on an index display screen according topredetermined conditions, initially displaying the images that have beenpreviously browsed by a user, and prioritizing the display of an imagepositioned closely to the previously displayed images.

According to the above-described conventional method, the user cansurely find the images having been previously browsed immediately afterthe index display is started.

However, according to the above-described conventional method, if thescrolling is performed on the index display screen, the display ofimages to be newly displayed according to the scrolling may be delayedbecause a relatively long time is used to complete the displaypreparation processing for newly displayed images.

The delay time tends to increase in proportion to the scrolling speedand also increase in proportion to the number of images to be displayedsimultaneously. In an extreme case, no image can be newly displayed whenthe scrolling speed is high.

If the display of the images to be displayed is delayed too much, a userwho is performing a scroll operation cannot check an actual state of thescrolling currently in progress and therefore cannot determine the timeto stop the scrolling.

Further, even after a user inputs an instruction to stop the scrolling,there is a relatively long waiting time to complete the displayprocessing for the images being not yet displayed.

When the scrolling is performed on an index display screen according tothe method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2001-231005, the display of an image positioned closely to thepreviously displayed images, i.e., an image positioned on an immediatelydisappearing side with respect to the scrolling direction (whichcorresponds to a moving direction of the images), is prioritized.

However, the image positioned closely to the previously displayed imagesis shortly excluded from a display target group, while the scrollingadvances, at earlier timing compared to other images newly added to thedisplay target group.

Therefore, the possibility of completing the display preparationprocessing for the image positioned closely to the previously displayedimages before the image is excluded from the display target group isrelatively low.

Moreover, the display preparation processing for other images newlyadded to the display target group is delayed correspondingly because theprocessing priority order for these newly added images is lower thanthat of the image positioned closely to the previously displayed images.

Therefore, according to the method discussed in Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2001-231005, the display preparationprocessing may be entirely delayed and many of the images to bedisplayed may not be actually displayed on the index display screenduring the scroll operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus includes aprocessing unit configured to process an image to be displayed on adisplay unit, a display control unit configured to control a displayunit to display a plurality of images processed by the processing unit,a scroll control unit configured to set another plurality of images asdisplay targets to be displayed on the display unit by scrolling thedisplayed plurality of images, and a control unit configured to controlthe processing unit to process the plurality of images as the displaytargets such as to prioritize the processing for an image disposed on anupstream side over an image disposed on a downstream side in a movingdirection of scrolled images.

Further features and aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which likereference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout thefigures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features,and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of adigital camera according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating a back face of the digitalcamera according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A to 2C schematically illustrate a relationship between a displayoriented VRAM and a buffer memory when the scrolling is performed on anindex display screen.

FIGS. 3A to 3C schematically illustrate a relationship between thedisplay oriented VRAM and the buffer memory when the scrolling isfurther performed on the index display screen.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrate a relationship between the displayoriented VRAM and the buffer memory when the scrolling is performed inthe opposite direction on the index display screen.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the index display processingaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating scroll control processing accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating smooth scroll processing according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing target column controlprocessing according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a buffer memory including preliminarystorage areas.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the inventionwill be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It isto be noted that the following exemplary embodiment is merely oneexample for implementing the present invention and can be appropriatelymodified or changed depending on individual constructions and variousconditions of apparatuses to which the present invention is applied.Thus, the present invention is in no way limited to the followingexemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a digital camera 100 as an example of adisplay control apparatus, to which each exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is applicable. FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustratingan example configuration of the digital camera 100. FIG. 1B illustratesan appearance of the digital camera 100.

In FIG. 1, a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a nonvolatile memory102, a memory 103, a display control unit 104, an input unit 105, adrive device 106, a communication interface (I/F) 107, an imageprocessing unit 121, and an image capturing unit 122 are connected to aninternal bus 111. The above-described components connected to theinternal bus 111 can mutually transmit and receive data or informationvia the internal bus 111.

The nonvolatile memory 102 stores various setting values and programsthat are used when the CPU 101 performs various operations. The memory103 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The CPU 101 controlsvarious components constituting the digital camera 100 according to acontrol program, for example, stored in the nonvolatile memory 102. TheCPU 101 can use the memory 103 as a work memory.

The input unit 105 is functionally operable to accept a user'soperation, generate a control signal corresponding to the user'soperation, and supply the control signal to the CPU 101. The input unit105 includes, as an operation member that enables users to operate,buttons (including a direction button 105-1 disposed in a cross shape),a rotary wheel 105-2, and a touch panel 105-3 serving as a pointingdevice.

The touch panel 105-3 is, for example, an input device configured todetect a finger position on a flat panel and outputs coordinateinformation representing the detected position. The pointing device isnot limited to the touch panel and can be replaced with a mouse or atrackball.

The CPU 101 is functionally operable to control constituent componentsof the digital camera 100 according to a control program based on asignal supplied from the input unit 105 in response to a user'soperation input via the input device. Thus, the digital camera 100 canperform a predetermined operation according to each user's operation.

In a case where the input unit 105 is a touch panel, the input unit 105and the display device 110 can be integrated together. For example, itis desired that the transmissivity of the light does not interfere withthe display of the display device 110 in a state where the touch panelis attached to an upper layer of a display surface of the display device110.

Further, it is desired to correlate input coordinates of the touch panelwith display coordinates of the display device 110. The input deviceconstituted in the above-described manner is generally referred to asGraphical User Interface (GUI) that enables users to feel as if they candirectly operate a screen displayed on the display device 110.

The display control unit 104 is functionally operable to output adisplay signal, which is used to display an image, to the display device110. For example, the CPU 101 generates a display control signalaccording to a program and supplies the generated display control signalto the display control unit 104.

The display control unit 104 generates a display signal based on thedisplay control signal and outputs the generated display signal to thedisplay device 110.

For example, the display control unit 104 causes the display device 110to display a GUI screen that configures the GUI based on the displaycontrol signal supplied from the CPU 101.

An external storage medium 108 (e.g., a memory card) is attachable tothe drive device 106. The drive device 106 is functionally operable toread data from the external storage medium 108 according to a controlsignal supplied from the CPU 101. Further, the drive device 106 isfunctionally operable to write data to the external storage medium 108according to a control signal supplied from the CPU 101.

The external storage medium 108 that can be inserted to the drive device106 is not limited to a semiconductor memory, such as a memory card. Forexample, a disk storage medium, such as a compact disk (CD), a digitalversatile disk (DVD), and a hard disk, can be also attached to the drivedevice 106.

The external storage medium 108 can be stored in a slot provided in acamera body, which is equipped with a lid 202. The communication I/F 107is functionally operable to communicate with a network 120 (such as alocal area network (LAN) or the Internet) based on a control signalsupplied from the CPU 101. The communication I/F 107 illustrated in FIG.1B is a wired type and can be replaced with a wireless type.

The image capturing unit 122 includes a photographing lens including afocus lens, a shutter having a diaphragm function, an image sensor(e.g., a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensor or a Complementary MetalOxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor) capable of converting an opticalimage into an electric signal, and an A/D converter.

The image processing unit 121 is functionally operable to performdecoding, encoding, interpolation processing, resizing processing (e.g.,enlargement and reduction), and color conversion processing on imagedata supplied from the image capturing unit 122 or image data read fromthe external storage medium 108.

An example operation according to the present exemplary embodiment isschematically described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

Example processing according to the present exemplary embodiment isprioritizing the display processing of images to be disposed far fromthe images having been displayed before scrolling, among images to benewly displayed, when the scrolling of a plurality of images isperformed in the up-and-down direction in a state where an index displayscreen is displayed on the display device 110.

It is assumed that the index display according to the present exemplaryembodiment is performed in such a way as to arrange a plurality ofimages in a matrix pattern.

Further, it is assumed that the positioning of images on the indexdisplay screen is performed in such a way as to dispose a plurality ofimages of a concerned line from the left edge to the right edge and thendispose a plurality of images of the next line from the left edge to theright edge according to a predetermined order, for example, in order ofimage file name, in order of image number, or in order of shootingdate/time order.

In a case where the total number of images to be displayed exceeds thesize of one screen, images to be disposed on a preceding line or asubsequent line can be displayed by performing the scrolling on theindex display screen. In the present invention, the layout order (i.e.,arranging order) of images may not coincide with temporal display order,as described below.

First, a display oriented VRAM (i.e., display oriented memory) and abuffer memory are described below in detail. The memory 103 includes adisplay oriented VRAM area and a buffer memory area.

In the processing for displaying images on the display device 110, theCPU 101 causes the drive device 106 to read image to be displayed fromthe external storage medium 108 or the like. The image processing unit121 performs decoding processing on the read images and also performsdecompression processing if the read images are compressed images.

The image processing unit 121 further performs processing for resizingthe decoded images so as to fit to a display size and rasterizing(storing) the resized images in the buffer memory. In the presentexemplary embodiment, at least a part of the above-described processingcan be referred to as display preparation processing.

The CPU 101 causes the memory 103 to store, in the display orientedVRAM, a copy of display data corresponding to one screen includingimages to be displayed on the display device 110 among the imagesrasterized in the buffer memory.

The display data stored in the display oriented VRAM can be displayed onthe display device 110 via the display control unit 104.

FIGS. 2A to 2C schematically illustrate a relationship between thedisplay oriented VRAM and the buffer memory in a case where thescrolling is performed on the index display screen. FIG. 2A illustratesa stationary state of the display oriented VRAM and the buffer memorybefore the scrolling is performed on the index display screen.

It is assumed that the index display processing according to the presentexemplary embodiment is performed so as to display a total of 42 imagescomposed of six lines and seven columns in a matrix pattern on the indexdisplay screen.

In the following description, an image displayed at the position definedby a Y-th line and an X-th column is simply referred to as image Y:X.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the buffer memory stores atotal of 56 images disposed in a matrix pattern, i.e., image 0:1 (i.e.,an image disposed at the position defined by the 0th column and thefirst line) to image 7:7 (i.e., an image disposed at the position defineby the seventh column and the seventh line).

In other words, the number of the images stored in the buffer memory isgreater than the number of images to be simultaneously displayed on onescreen (i.e., images to be stored in the display oriented VRAM) becauseadditional images are disposed on a preceding line as well as on asubsequent line.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, among the images stored in thebuffer memory, a total of 42 images (i.e., images 1:1 to image 6:7) tobe displayed on one screen is copied in the display oriented VRAM.

The images copied in the display oriented VRAM are displayed on thedisplay device 110, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C.

In the present exemplary embodiment, it is desired to additionallydisplay other icons and information together with the images copied inthe display oriented VRAM.

FIG. 2B illustrates a transitional state of the display oriented VRAMand the buffer memory after the scrolling is further performed on theindex display screen in the upward direction from the state illustratedin FIG. 2A.

As understood from the illustration in FIG. 2B, all images of thedisplay oriented VRAM (i.e., display contents of the display device 110)are shifted upward compared to those illustrated in FIG. 2A.

In the following description, the above-described scroll direction isreferred to as “up scroll.” Namely, the scroll direction is referred toas the moving direction of images in the scroll.

The state illustrated in FIG. 2B differs from the above-describedpre-scroll state in that the images disposed on the first line arepartly displayed. The moving amount of the images in the above-describedscrolling is less than one line.

As described above, if the scroll amount is less than the height of thelines additionally provided in the buffer memory (i.e., the precedingand subsequent lines in the present exemplary embodiment), the movementof the display position can be realized by simply shifting the positionof an area to be copied from the buffer memory to the display orientedVRAM without updating the buffer memory.

A copy range indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2B is shifted downwardcompared to a pre-scroll copy range (i.e., a range indicated by a dottedline illustrated in FIG. 2A) by an amount corresponding to the upwardmovement of the displayed images.

FIG. 2C illustrates another state of the display oriented VRAM and thebuffer memory at the moment when the scrolling of just one line from thestate illustrated in FIG. 2A has been completed via the stateillustrated in FIG. 2B.

When the scrolling is continuously performed in the upward direction onthe index display screen from the state illustrated in FIG. 2B, therange of images to be copied to the display oriented VRAM (i.e., therange displayed on the display device 110) becomes a range just coveringthe second line to the seventh line. In this case, if the scrollingfurther continues, images disposed on the eighth line are displayed.

Therefore, at this timing, the processing for updating the buffer memoryis performed so as to move respective images by one line in such a wayas to overwrite the area having been occupied by the images of the 0thline with the images of the first line and stores the images disposed onthe first line to the eighth line.

The images to be disposed on the eighth line are not the images alreadystored in the buffer memory. Therefore, the processing for reading theimages to be disposed on the eighth line from the external storagemedium 108 is performed.

Further, the image processing unit 121 is used to perform the displaypreparation processing including decoding of compressed images andresizing of the decoded image so as to fit to the display size.

Therefore, the storage of images into the buffer memory for the eighthline is significantly delayed due to the above-described displaypreparation processing, compared to a case where images are immediatelystored in the buffer memory.

The buffer memory illustrated in FIG. 2C is in a state where thescrolling of just one line has been completed. Therefore, in this state,image 8:1 to image 8:7 to be disposed on the eighth line are not yetstored in the buffer memory.

In the following description, it is assumed that each blackened portionof the buffer memory illustrated in the drawing is in a state where theimage to be stored is not yet stored.

FIG. 3A illustrates a state of the display oriented VRAM and the buffermemory when the scrolling is further continued on the index displayscreen in the upward direction from the states illustrated in FIGS. 2Ato 2C.

In this state, a line newly included in the copy range of images to becopied to the display oriented VRAM is the eighth line of the initial(pre-scroll) screen illustrated in FIG. 2A. More specifically, asapparent from FIG. 3A, the copy range indicated by a dotted line extendsfrom the end of the second line (i.e., a border line between the secondline and the third line) to an intermediate position of the eighth line.

However, in this case, the scrolling on the index display screen is sofast that the display preparation processing for image 8:1 to image 8:5to be disposed on the eighth line cannot be completed. Therefore, thedisplay oriented VRAM does not include a copy of the images 8:1 to 8:5.Accordingly, the images 8:1 to 8:5 cannot be displayed on the displaydevice 110.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the display preparation processingfor the images to be disposed on the same line is performed in such away as to prioritize the display of an image farthest in layout orderfrom the images having been already displayed before scrolling.

According to the example illustrated in FIG. 3A, the display preparationprocessing is performed in descending order from the image 8:7 that isfurther than the image 8:1 in layout order from the images 1:1 to 6:7displayed in the pre-scroll screen illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3B illustrates a state of the display oriented VRAM and the buffermemory when the scrolling is further continued on the index displayscreen in the upward direction from the states illustrated in FIGS. 2Ato 2C and FIG. 3A.

In this state, a line newly included in the copy range of images to becopied to the display oriented VRAM is the ninth line of the initial(pre-scroll) screen illustrated in FIG. 2A. More specifically, asapparent from FIG. 3B, the copy range indicated by a dotted line extendsfrom an intermediate position of the third line to an intermediateposition of the ninth line.

However, in this case, the scrolling on the index display screen is sofast that the display preparation processing for image 9:1 to image 9:6to be disposed on the ninth line in addition to the images 8:1 to 8:5 tobe disposed on the eighth line cannot be completed. Therefore, thedisplay oriented VRAM does not include a copy of the images 8:1 to 8:5and the images 9:1 to 9:6.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, if thescrolling on the index display screen is so fast that the displaypreparation processing for all images to be disposed on the same linecannot be completed, the display preparation processing is performed insuch a way as to prioritize an image to be displayed on a newlydisplayed line over a non-processed image to be disposed on a precedingline.

According to the illustrated example, if the scrolling on the indexdisplay screen is so fast that the display preparation processing forall images to be displayed on the eighth line cannot be completed, thedisplay preparation processing for an image to be displayed on the newlydisplayed ninth line is prioritized over the display preparationprocessing for the non-processed image to be disposed on the eighthline.

The above-described prioritization processing is useful to prevent allof the images to be disposed on the same line from being not displayedin a case where the scrolling on the index display screen is so fastthat the display preparation processing is significantly delayed.

Thus, the above-described prioritization processing enables users toeasily and accurately recognize a scrolled state of the index displayscreen by checking each newly displayed line even if the displayed partis limited to a lesser number of images.

FIG. 3C illustrates a state of the display oriented VRAM and the buffermemory when the scrolling is further continued on the index displayscreen in the upward direction from the states illustrated in FIGS. 2Ato 2C and FIGS. 3A and 3B.

In this state, a line newly included in the copy range of images to becopied to the display oriented VRAM is the eleventh line of the initial(pre-scroll) screen illustrated in FIG. 2A. More specifically, asapparent from FIG. 3C, the copy range indicated by a dotted line extendsfrom the end of the fifth line (i.e., a border line between the fifthline and the sixth line) to an intermediate position of the eleventhline.

According to the illustrated example, the scrolling on the index displayscreen is so fast that a leading edge of scrolled lines has alreadyreached the eleventh line before the display preparation processing forall of the images to be disposed on the tenth line in addition to theimages 8:1 to 8:5 to be disposed on the eighth line and the images 9:1to 9:6 to be disposed on the ninth line is completed.

Therefore, in this case, the display preparation processing for a newdisplay target (i.e., an image 11:7 to be disposed on the eleventh line)is prioritized over the display preparation processing for thenon-processed image to be disposed on the tenth line.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the displaypreparation processing for an image newly displayed according to thescrolling (e.g., an image to be displayed on the eleventh line) isperformed at earlier timing compared to the display preparationprocessing for an image positioned closely in layout order to the imageshaving been displayed before scrolling (e.g., an image to be disposed onthe tenth line).

In other words, the display preparation processing for an image to bedisposed on the opposite side with respect to the scroll direction(i.e., the moving direction of images in the scrolling) is performed atearlier timing compared to the display preparation processing for animage to be disposed on the same side with respect to the scrolldirection.

In other words, the “opposite side with respect to the scroll direction”in the present exemplary embodiment is the upstream side with respect tothe moving direction of images in the scrolling.

The images having been stored in the buffer memory as a result of thedisplay preparation processing are continuously stored in the buffermemory, even when the scrolling is performed on the index displayscreen, as far as they are included in the copy range of the displayoriented VRAM.

Then, compared to an image disposed closely to the opposite end sidewith respect to the scroll direction (i.e., the direction opposite tothe moving direction of images (i.e., the upstream side)), an imagedisposed closely to the same direction with respect to the scrolldirection (i.e., the moving direction of images (i.e., the downstreamside)) becomes a non-display target at earlier timing when the scrollingis performed on the index display screen.

In the present exemplary embodiment, “becoming a non-display target”means that a concerned image is excluded from the copy range to becopied to the display oriented VRAM.

More specifically, an image disposed on a line positioned closely to theopposite end side with respect to the scroll direction (i.e., closely tothe upstreammost side) can remain as a display target for a relativelylong time compared to other images stored in the buffer memory.

Accordingly, the above-described image tends to remain as the displaytarget (i.e., tends to be included in the copy range to be copied to thedisplay oriented VRAM) at the completion timing of the displaypreparation processing.

In other words, when the display preparation processing is once startedand if the display preparation processing is not completed, thepossibility that the above-described image is excluded from the copyrange to be copied to the display oriented VRAM and is not displayed onthe display device 110 is very low.

As described above, the display preparation processing according to thepresent exemplary embodiment is performed in such away as to prioritizean image to be disposed on the line positioned closely to the oppositeend side with respect to the scroll direction (i.e., the directionopposite to the moving direction of images (i.e., the upstreammostside)) over other images included in the copy range to be copied to thedisplay oriented VRAM.

In this respect, the display preparation processing according to thepresent exemplary embodiment is useful because at least one of theimages to be displayed can be surely displayed on the index displayscreen even when the scroll speed is increased.

Although the scrolling on the index display screen is performed in theupward direction according to the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3,it is needless to say that the scrolling can be oppositely performed inthe downward direction.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic relationship between the display orientedVRAM and the buffer memory when the scrolling is performed on the indexdisplay screen in the downward direction.

Next, an example procedure of processing that can realize theabove-described operations is described below in detail with referenceto flowcharts illustrated in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8. To realize the flowchartsillustrated in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, the CPU 101 executes a control programloaded from the nonvolatile memory 102 to the work memory area of thememory 103 so that the CPU 101 can control various components of thedigital camera 100.

In the present exemplary embodiment, some terminologies in theflowcharts illustrated in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 are defined in the followingmanner.

More specifically, in the context of the present disclosure, theterminology “display order” is referred to as a parameter that indicateswhether the temporal priority order in performing the displaypreparation processing is set in order from an upper line to a lowerline or in order from a lower line to an upper line of the matrixdisplayed on the display device 110.

In other words, the “display order” is a parameter that is variabledepending on the scroll direction and is stored in the memory 103.

In the context of the present disclosure, the terminology “processingtarget line (or processing target column)” is referred to as a parameterthat indicates a line (or a column) representing the layout position ofan image to be added to the buffer memory after it is subjected to thedisplay preparation processing at a certain time.

The layout of an image is a fixed one that is substantially dependent onimage unique information (e.g., image file name, file number, andshooting date/time). Therefore, if the layout position in the indexdisplay is known, each image can be identified by checking the layoutorder of the image. The processing target line (or the processing targetcolumn) is stored in the memory 103.

In the context of the present disclosure, the terminology “line offset”is referred to as a parameter that indicates a shift amount of the copyrange to be copied from the buffer memory to the display oriented RAM.

To realize a smooth and fine animation, it is desired that the “lineoffset” is a numerical value equal to or less than one line. The “lineoffset” is stored in the memory 103.

In the context of the present disclosure, the terminology “line offsetregulating value” is referred to as a setting value indicating thenumber of times of the display frequently updated during the scrollingof one line.

In other words, the line offset regulating value is a setting valueindicating a line offset value in the scrolling of one line.

The line offset regulating value is stored beforehand in the nonvolatilememory 102. If the line offset regulating value is large, the animationis fine. If the regulating value is smaller, the animation is coarse.

The line offset regulating value satisfies the following formula.[The moving amount of an image displayed on the display screen in eachupdate of the display for the animation]=[the number of linesconstituting the display oriented VRAM and the buffer memory in thevertical direction that are used to display images disposed on the sameline]/[the line offset regulating value]

In the context of the present disclosure, the terminology “scrollcounter” is referred to as a parameter indicating the number of lines tobe further scrolled at a certain time. The scroll counter value isincremented or decremented in response to each instruction entered by auser to perform scrolling on the index display screen. When thescrolling is actually performed, the scroll counter value is incrementedor decremented by an amount corresponding to the number of lines havingbeen scrolled.

In the context of the present disclosure, the terminology “animationtimer” is referred to as a timer that counts the time period used tocomplete each update of the display during the scrolling.

In general, a reciprocal of the time period measured by the animationtimer is equal to a frame rate. If the time period measured by theanimation timer is smaller, the frame rate of the animation increasesand the processing load of the system increases. In the presentexemplary embodiment, the time period is a setting value (e.g., severaltens msec).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the index displayprocessing. The CPU 101 starts the index display processing in responseto a user's operation instructing a switching of the image display modeto an index display mode.

First, in step S501, the CPU 101 performs parameter initializationprocessing to set initial values for the display order (=from top tobottom), the processing target line (=the upper edge of the copy rangeto be copied to the display oriented VRAM), the processing target column(=the left edge of each line), and the line offset (=0). The CPU 101stores the initial setting values in the memory 103.

In step S502, the CPU 101 determines whether to terminate the indexdisplay processing. For example, when a power source of the digitalcamera 100 is turned off or when a user's operation instructs aswitching of the image display mode to a mode other than the indexdisplay mode (YES in step S502), the CPU 101 determines to terminate theindex display. After completing the above-described processing, the CPU101 terminates the index display processing illustrated in FIG. 5.

If an instruction to complete the index display is not received (NO instep S502), the CPU 101 determines to continue the index displayprocessing. The processing proceeds to step S503.

In step S503, the CPU 101 performs scroll control processing. The scrollcontrol processing is described below in detail with reference to theflowcharts illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

The scroll control processing includes, for example, processing fordetermining the number of lines to be scrolled, processing fordetermining the order of images to be displayed, processing for actuallyperforming the scrolling, and processing for determining a processingtarget line (or column) based on a present state of the scrolling and apresent state of the display preparation processing.

In step S504, the CPU 101 determines whether all of images presentlydesignated as the display targets to be displayed on the same screenhave been thoroughly displayed. More specifically, the CPU 101determines whether the display preparation processing for all images tobe copied to the display oriented VRAM.

If it is determined that all the display targets have been displayed(YES in step S504), the processing returns to step S502. If it isdetermined that the display targets are not thoroughly displayed (NO instep S504), the processing proceeds to step S505.

In step S505, the CPU 101 determines whether the display preparationprocessing for each image to be displayed has been completed. If it isdetermined that the display preparation processing for each image to bedisplayed is not yet completed (NO in step S505), the processing returnsto step S502. If it is determined that the display preparationprocessing for each image to be displayed has been completed (YES instep S505), the processing proceeds to step S506.

In step S506, the CPU 101 adds the display preparation completed imagesto the buffer memory. Thus, when the display oriented VRAM is updated instep S707 or S708 illustrated in FIG. 7, new images are displayed on thedisplay device 110.

If the scrolling stops, the animation timer stops counting. In this caseit is assumed that, every time when the display preparation processingfor non-stored images is completed and the processed images are added tothe buffer memory, the copy of images from the buffer memory to thedisplay oriented VRAM is performed regardless of the animation timer.

Thus, the images added through the display preparation processing afterthe scrolling is stopped are successively displayed on the displaydevice 110.

In step S507, the CPU 101 starts the display preparation processing foreach image to be disposed at the position identified by the presentprocessing target line and the present processing target column.

The CPU 101 and the image processing unit 121 operate cooperatively toperform the display preparation processing in parallel with processingof subsequent steps. Namely, the processing proceeds to step S508 evenwhen the display preparation processing is not completed.

In step S508, the CPU 101 performs processing target column controlprocessing for determining a new processing target column. Theprocessing target column control processing is described below in moredetail with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 8.

Next, the scroll control processing is described below in more detailwith reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6. The scroll controlprocessing illustrated in FIG. 6 is details of the processing to beperformed in step S503 illustrated in FIG. 5.

In step S601, the CPU 101 determines whether a user's scroll instructionis input. In the present exemplary embodiment, the scrolling on theindex display screen can be arbitrarily performed in the upwarddirection or in the downward direction according to the input scrollinstruction.

For example, if an up button (i.e., one of the direction buttonsdisposed in a cross shape on the input unit 105) is pressed, the CPU 101determines that the scrolling in the downward direction (i.e., thescrolling for moving the displayed images downward to browse imagespositioned above the presently displayed images) is instructed.

On the other hand, if a down button is pressed, the CPU 101 determinesthat scrolling in the upward direction (i.e., the scrolling for movingthe displayed images upward to browse images positioned below thepresently displayed images) is instructed.

If a touch panel is usable to instruct the scrolling, the CPU 101determines that scrolling in the upward direction is instructed when thetouch panel operation from bottom to top is performed. Further, the CPU101 determines that the scrolling in the downward direction isinstructed when the touch panel operation from top to bottom isperformed.

It is also useful to rotate the rotary wheel to instruct a rotationaldirection in the scrolling to be performed.

If it is determined that the scroll instruction is input (YES in stepS601), the processing proceeds to step S602. If it is determined thatthe scroll instruction is not input (NO in step S601), the processingproceeds to step S610.

In step S602, the CPU 101 determines whether the scroll instructionaccepted in step S601 instructs the scrolling in the downward direction.If it is determined that the scrolling in the downward direction isinstructed (YES in step S602), the processing proceeds to step S603.Otherwise, namely if it is determined that the scrolling in the upwarddirection is instructed (NO in step S602), the processing proceeds tostep S604.

In step S603, the CPU 101 decrements a scroll counter value by an amountof an operation according to the scroll instruction accepted in stepS601.

For example, if the up button (i.e., one of the direction buttons) ispressed one time, the CPU 101 decrements the scroll counter value byone. If the touch panel operation from top to bottom is performed, theCPU 101 decrements the scroll counter value by an amount correspondingto the moving distance in the touch panel operation.

If the scroll counter value becomes a negative value as a result of theabove-described operation, the CPU 101 determines to perform thescrolling on the index display screen in the downward direction by thenumber of lines indicated by an absolute value of the scroll counter, asdescribed below.

Namely, while the presently displayed images move downward, new images(i.e., hidden images positioned above the pre-scroll screen) aredisplayed.

In step S604, the CPU 101 increments the scroll counter value by anamount of an operation according to the scroll instruction accepted instep S601. The processing to be performed in step S604 is contrary tothe processing to be performed in step S603.

If the scroll counter value becomes a positive value as a result of theabove-described operation, the CPU 101 determines to perform scrollingon the index display screen in the upward direction by the number oflines indicated by the value of the scroll counter, as described below.

Namely, while the presently displayed images move upward, new images(i.e., hidden images positioned below the pre-scroll screen) aredisplayed.

In step S605, the CPU 101 determines whether the scroll counter value isequal to or less than zero. When the scroll counter value is a negativevalue, the CPU 101 determines that the scroll direction is the downwarddirection. On the other hand, when the scroll counter value is apositive value, the CPU 101 determines that the scroll direction is theupward direction.

If it is determined that the scroll counter value is equal to or lessthan zero (YES in step S605), the processing proceeds to step S606. Ifit is determined that the scroll counter value is a positive value (NOin step S605), the processing proceeds to step S607.

In step S606, the CPU 101 sets the display order (i.e., the priorityorder according to which the display preparation processing isperformed) in such a way as to perform the display preparationprocessing in order from an upper line to a lower line on a matrixdisplayed on the display device 110. Then, the CPU 101 stores thedetermined display order in the memory 103.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a higher priority order is set forthe upper line positioned in the direction opposite to the downwarddirection (i.e., the moving direction of the images in the down scroll).

In step S607, the CPU 101 sets the display order in such a way as toperform the display preparation processing in order from a lower line toan upper line (i.e., opposite order) on a matrix displayed on thedisplay device 110. Then, the CPU 101 stores the determined displayorder in the memory 103.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a higher priority order is set forthe lower line positioned in the direction opposite to the upwarddirection (i.e., the moving direction of the images in the up scroll).

In step S608, the CPU 101 determines whether the animation timer is inoperation. More specifically, the CPU 101 determines whether thescrolling is currently performed on the index display screen.

If it is determined that the animation timer is not in operation, i.e.,if it is determined that scrolling is not performed on the index displayscreen (NO in step S608), the processing proceeds to step S609.

In step S609, the CPU 101 activates the animation timer to execute thescrolling according to the scroll instruction accepted in step S601.Then, the CPU 101 terminates the scroll control processing illustratedin FIG. 6. Subsequently, the control processing of the CPU 101 proceedsto step S504 illustrated in FIG. 5.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the animation timer is inoperation, i.e., if it is determined that scrolling is currentlyperformed on the index display screen (YES in step S608), the processingproceeds to step S610.

In step S610, the CPU 101 performs smooth scroll processing. The smoothscroll processing is scroll processing intended to realize a smoothanimation by repetitively shifting a portion to be copied from thebuffer memory to the display oriented VRAM by an amount corresponding tothe line offset every time the animation timer times out.

The smooth scroll processing is described below in more detail withreference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7.

In step S611, the CPU 101 determines whether the line offset is zero. Ifit is determined that the line offset is zero (YES in step S611), theprocessing proceeds to step S612.

When the line offset is zero, an image group to be displayed on theindex display screen can be located in such a way as to just coincidewith a predetermined integer-number of lines.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the line offset is not zero(NO in step S611), the CPU 101 terminates the scroll control processingillustrated in FIG. 6. Subsequently, the control processing of the CPU101 proceeds to step S504 illustrated in FIG. 5.

When the line offset is not zero, the image group to be displayed on theindex display screen is located in such a way as to deviate from theinteger-number of lines by an amount corresponding to the line offset.In other words, the scrolling is not yet completed and the animationtimer is in operation.

In step S612, the CPU 101 determines whether the scroll counter value iszero. More specifically, the CPU 101 determines whether to furthercontinue the scrolling when the image group to be displayed on the indexdisplay screen is located in such a way as to just coincide with thepredetermined integer-number of lines.

If it is determined that the scroll counter value is zero (YES in stepS612), it is unnecessary to further perform the scrolling. Therefore,the CPU 101 terminates the scroll control processing illustrated in FIG.6. Subsequently, the control processing of the CPU 101 proceeds to stepS504.

If it is determined that the scroll counter value is not zero (NO instep S612), the processing proceeds to step S613 to continue thescrolling for another line.

In step S613, the CPU 101 determines whether the display order stored inthe memory 103 is a setting for displaying the images in order from anupper line to a lower line. If it is determined that the display orderis for displaying the images from an upper line to a lower line (YES instep S613), the processing proceeds to step S614.

Otherwise, namely if it is determined that the display order is fordisplaying the images in order from a lower line to an upper line (NO instep S613), the processing proceeds to step S615.

In step S614, to prioritize the display preparation processing for aline to be newly displayed on the index display screen over the displaypreparation processing for the presently processed image, the CPU 101updates the processing target line and the processing target column inaccordance with the downward scrolling for another line. Then, the CPU101 decrements the scroll counter value by one.

The CPU 101 sets an upper edge line of an image region to be displayedon the display device 110 (i.e., an upper edge line of an image range tobe copied from the buffer memory to the display oriented VRAM) as aprocessing target line. Then, the CPU 101 stores the determinedprocessing target line in the memory 103.

Further, the CPU 101 sets a leftmost column where no image is displayedas a processing target column. Then, the CPU 101 stores the determinedprocessing target column in the memory 103. Then, the CPU 101 incrementsthe scroll counter value by one.

In step S615, to prioritize the display preparation processing for aline to be newly displayed on the index display screen over the displaypreparation processing for the presently processed image, the CPU 101updates the processing target line and the processing target column inaccordance with the upward scrolling for another line. Then, the CPU 101decrements the scroll counter value by one.

The CPU 101 sets a lower edge line of an image region to be displayed onthe display device 110 (i.e., a lower edge line of an image range to becopied from the buffer memory to the display oriented VRAM) as aprocessing target line. Then, the CPU 101 stores the determinedprocessing target line in the memory 103.

Further, the CPU 101 sets a rightmost column where no image is displayedas a processing target column. Then, the CPU 101 stores the determinedprocessing target column in the memory 103. Then, the CPU 101 decrementsthe scroll counter value by one.

After completing the processing of step S614 or step S615, the CPU 101terminates the scroll control processing illustrated in FIG. 6.Subsequently, the control processing of the CPU 101 proceeds to stepS504 illustrated in FIG. 5.

Next, the smooth scroll processing is described in more detail withreference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7. The smooth scrollprocessing illustrated in FIG. 7 is details of the processing to beperformed in step S610 illustrated in FIG. 6.

In step S701, the CPU 101 determines whether the animation timer is inoperation. If it is determined that the animation timer is not inoperation (NO in step S701), it is unnecessary to perform the scrollanimation display.

Therefore, the CPU 101 terminates the smooth scroll processingillustrated in FIG. 7. Subsequently, the control processing of the CPU101 proceeds to step S611 illustrated in FIG. 6. If it is determinedthat the animation timer is in operation (YES in step S701), theprocessing proceeds to step S702.

In step S702, the CPU 101 determines whether the animation timer hastimed out. If it is determined that the animation timer has not yettimed out (NO in step S702), it is unnecessary to update the display.

Therefore, the CPU 101 terminates the smooth scroll processingillustrated in FIG. 7. Subsequently, the control processing of the CPU101 proceeds to step S611 illustrated in FIG. 6.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the animation timer hastimed out (YES in step S702), the display is to be updated. Therefore,the processing proceeds to step S703.

In step S703, the CPU 101 determines whether the line offset is zero.When the line offset is not zero, the image group to be displayed on theindex display screen is located in such a way as to deviate from theinteger-number of lines by an amount corresponding to the line offset.In other words, the scrolling is not yet completed.

Accordingly, if it is determined that the line offset is not zero (NO instep S703), the processing proceeds to step S705. In step S705, the CPU101 reactivates the animation timer to measure the time for the nextupdate of the display.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the line offset is zero (YESin step S703), the processing proceeds to step S704.

In step S704, the CPU 101 determines whether the scroll counter value iszero. When the line offset is zero and the scroll counter value is zero,the image group is located in such a way as to just coincide with theinteger-number of lines. Therefore, it is unnecessary to continue thescrolling for another line. The CPU 101 does not update the display forthe animation.

Then, the CPU 101 terminates the smooth scroll processing illustrated inFIG. 7. Subsequently, the control processing of the CPU 101 proceeds tostep S611 illustrated in FIG. 6.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the scroll counter value isnot zero (NO in step S704), further continue the scrolling is to beperformed. The processing proceeds to step S705.

In step S705, the CPU 101 reactivates the animation timer to measure thetime for the next update of the display for the animation.

In step S706, the CPU 101 determines whether the display order stored inthe memory 103 is for displaying the images in order from an upper lineto a lower line. If it is determined that the display order is fordisplaying the images from an upper line to a lower line (YES in stepS706), the processing proceeds to step S707.

Otherwise, namely if it is determined that the display order is fordisplaying the images in order from a lower line to an upper line (NO instep S706), the processing proceeds to step S708.

The determination to be performed in step S706 is a step of determiningthe scroll direction to adjust the shift direction of the line offset tobe identical to the scroll direction.

Accordingly, the determination of the display order in step S706 can bereplaced by a determination as to whether the scroll counter value isequal to or less than zero.

In step S707, the CPU 101 decrements the line offset by one so that thedisplayed image group can be moved downward by one line for the downwardscrolling animation. Then, the CPU 101 updates the display oriented VRAMby shifting the copy range to be copied from the buffer memory to thedisplay oriented VRAM by an amount corresponding to the updated lineoffset value.

In this case, the CPU 101 shifts the copy range upward by one line. Thefollowing relationship is satisfied as described above.[The moving amount (the number of lines) of an image displayed on thedisplay screen in each update of the display for the animation]=[thenumber of lines constituting the display oriented VRAM and the buffermemory in the vertical direction that are required to display imagesdisposed on the same line]/[the line offset regulating value].

Through the above-described processing, the images displayed on thedisplay device 110 can be updated.

On the contrary, in step S708, the CPU 101 increments the line offset byone so that the displayed image group can be moved upward by one linefor the upward scrolling animation.

Then, the CPU 101 updates the display oriented VRAM by shifting the copyrange to be copied from the buffer memory to the display oriented VRAMby an amount corresponding to the updated line offset value.

In this case, the CPU 101 shifts the copy range downward by one line.Through the above-described processing, the images displayed on thedisplay device 110 can be updated.

In step S709, the CPU 101 determines whether the absolute value of theline offset has reached the regulating value. If it is determined thatthe absolute value of the line offset has reached the regulating value(YES in step S709), the processing proceeds to step S710.

The absolute value of the line offset reaches the regulating value atthe timing the scrolling of just one line has completed. If it isdetermined that the absolute value of the line offset has not reachedthe regulating value (NO in step S709), the CPU 101 terminates thesmooth scroll processing illustrated in FIG. 7. Subsequently, thecontrol processing of the CPU 101 proceeds to step S611 illustrated inFIG. 6.

In step S710, the CPU 101 sets the line offset to zero to set the shiftamount of the copy range to be copied from the buffer memory to thedisplay oriented VRAM to zero. At the same time, the CPU 101 updates theimages stored in the buffer memory in such a way as to shift downward orupward by one line according to the scroll operation.

However, as described with reference to FIG. 2C, the storage of imagesinto the buffer memory for a new line is significantly delayed due tothe above-described display preparation processing for respective imagesto be updated.

In other words, the storage of newly displayed images is performedsequentially, not simultaneously, because the above-described displaypreparation processing for each image takes a significant time.

After completing the processing of step S710, the CPU 101 terminates thesmooth scroll processing illustrated in FIG. 7. Subsequently, thecontrol processing of the CPU proceeds to step S611 illustrated in FIG.6.

Next, the processing target column control processing is described belowin more detail with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 8.The processing target column control processing illustrated in FIG. 8 isdetails of the processing to be performed in step S508 illustrated inFIG. 5.

In step S801, the CPU 101 determines whether the display order stored inthe memory 103 is for displaying the images in order from an upper lineto a lower line. If it is determined that the display order is fordisplaying the images in order from an upper line to a lower line (YESin step S801), the processing proceeds to step S802.

Otherwise, namely if it is determined that the display order is fordisplaying the images in order from a lower line to an upper line (NO instep S801), the processing proceeds to step S807.

In step S802, the CPU 101 determines whether the processing targetcolumn stored in the memory 103 is the right edge. If it is determinedthat the processing target column is the right edge (YES in step S802),the processing proceeds to step S805. Otherwise, namely if it isdetermined that the processing target column is not the right edge (NOin step S802), the processing proceeds to step S803.

In step S803, the CPU 101 shifts the processing target column from thepresently set column to the next column in the right direction. Then,the CPU 101 stores the newly set processing target column in the memory103.

Then, in step S804, the CPU 101 determines whether an image is alreadydisplayed at the position corresponding to the newly set processingtarget column.

More specifically, the CPU 101 determines whether a display preparationcompleted image is already stored in the buffer memory at a positioncorresponding to the newly set processing target column.

If it is determined that there is an already displayed image (YES instep S804), the processing proceeds to step S805. If it is determinedthat there is not any displayed image (NO in step S804), the CPU 101terminates the processing target column control processing illustratedin FIG. 8. Subsequently, the control processing of the CPU 101 proceedsto step S502 illustrated in FIG. 5.

When there is not any displayed image at the corresponding columnposition, the CPU 101 designates the processing target column havingbeen set in step S803 as a column to be next subjected to the displaypreparation processing (if the scrolling is not performed on the indexdisplay screen).

The CPU 101 performs the processing of step S805 when it is determinedthat the processing target column is the right edge (YES in step S802)or when it is determined that there is an image already displayed in theprocessing target column (YES in step S804).

More specifically, at this moment, the display preparation processingfor all images to be disposed on the processing target line is alreadycompleted. Therefore, the CPU 101 performs the processing for updatingthe processing target line.

In step S805, the CPU 101 determines whether the processing target linestored in the memory 103 is the lower edge of the copy range to becopied to the display oriented VRAM.

If it is determined that the processing target line is the lower edge(YES in step S805), the display preparation processing for all images tobe displayed on the present screen is already completed. Therefore, atthis moment, there is not any image to be subjected to the displaypreparation processing unless the scrolling is performed on the indexdisplay screen.

Accordingly, the CPU 101 terminates the processing target column controlprocessing illustrated in FIG. 8. Subsequently, the control processingof the CPU 101 proceeds to step S502 illustrated in FIG. 5. If it isdetermined that the processing target line is not the lower edge (NO instep S805), the processing proceeds to step S806.

In step S806, the CPU 101 shifts the processing target line from thepresently set line to the next line in the downward direction. Then, theCPU 101 stores the newly set processing target line in the memory 103.

Further, the CPU 101 sets a leftmost column where no image is displayedas a processing target column. Then, the CPU 101 stores the newly setprocessing target column in the memory 103.

Then, the CPU 101 terminates the processing target column controlprocessing illustrated in FIG. 8. Subsequently, the control processingof the CPU 101 proceeds to step S502 illustrated in FIG. 5.

The processing to be performed in step S807 to step S811 is differentfrom the above-described processing of steps S802 to S806 in that thescroll direction is opposite.

In step S807, the CPU 101 determines whether the processing targetcolumn stored in the memory 103 is the left edge. If it is determinedthat the processing target column is the left edge (YES in step S807),the processing proceeds to step S810. Otherwise, namely if it isdetermined that the processing target column is not the left edge (NO instep S807), the processing proceeds to step S808.

In step S808, the CPU 101 shifts the processing target column from thepresently set column to the next column in the left direction. Then, theCPU 101 stores the newly set processing target column in the memory 103.

Then, in step S809, the CPU 101 determines whether an image is alreadydisplayed at the position corresponding to the newly set processingtarget column.

More specifically, the CPU 101 determines whether a display preparationcompleted image is already stored in the buffer memory at a positioncorresponding to the newly set processing target column.

If it is determined that there is an already displayed image (YES instep S809), the processing proceeds to step S810. If it is determinedthat there is not any displayed image (NO in step S809), the CPU 101terminates the processing target column control processing illustratedin FIG. 8. Subsequently, the control processing of the CPU 101 proceedsto step S502 illustrated in FIG. 5.

When there is not any displayed image at the corresponding columnposition, the CPU 101 designates the processing target column havingbeen set in step S808 as a column to be next subjected to the displaypreparation processing (if the scrolling is not performed on the indexdisplay screen).

The CPU 101 performs the processing of step S810 when it is determinedthat the processing target column is the left edge (YES in step S807) orwhen it is determined that there is an image already displayed in theprocessing target column (YES in step S809).

More specifically, at this moment, the display preparation processingfor all images to be disposed on the processing target line is alreadycompleted. Therefore, the CPU 101 performs the processing for updatingthe processing target line.

In step S810, the CPU 101 determines whether the processing target linestored in the memory 103 is the upper edge of the copy range to becopied to the display oriented VRAM.

If it is determined that the processing target line is the upper edge(YES in step S810), the display preparation processing for all images tobe displayed on the present screen is already completed. Therefore, atthis moment, there is not any image to be subjected to the displaypreparation processing unless the scrolling is performed on the indexdisplay screen.

Accordingly, the CPU 101 terminates the processing target column controlprocessing illustrated in FIG. 8. Subsequently, the control processingof the CPU 101 proceeds to step S502 illustrated in FIG. 5. If it isdetermined that the processing target line is not the upper edge (NO instep S810), the processing proceeds to step S811.

In step S811, the CPU 101 shifts the processing target line from thepresently set line to the next line in the upward direction. Then, theCPU 101 stores the newly set processing target line in the memory 103.

Further, the CPU 101 sets a rightmost column where no image is displayedas a processing target column. Then, the CPU 101 stores the newly setprocessing target column in the memory 103.

Then, the CPU 101 terminates the processing target column controlprocessing illustrated in FIG. 8. Subsequently, the control processingof the CPU 101 proceeds to step S502 illustrated in FIG. 5.

Although not illustrated in each of the above-described flowcharts, itis useful to permit users to input a scroll stop instruction via theinput unit 105. In this case, before executing the processing of stepS601 illustrated in FIG. 6, the CPU 101 determines whether a scroll stopinstruction is input.

In this case, if it is determined that the scroll stop instruction isnot input, the processing proceeds to step S601.

If it is determined that the scroll stop instruction is input, the CPU101 sets the scroll counter value to zero. Subsequently, the processingproceeds to step S601.

According to the above-described processing, users can stop thescrolling at arbitrary timing while viewing the images displayed on thescrolled screen.

Further, in the above-described flowchart, the moving amount of thedisplayed images in each update of the display for a smooth animation isset to be less than one line. However, any other moving amount can bearbitrarily set. For example, the scrolling on the display screen can beperformed on a line-to-line basis. In this case, the line offsetregulating value is set to 1.

The CPU 101 executes the above-described processing illustrated in FIGS.5 to 8 to realize the scrolling operation described with reference toFIGS. 2 to 4. According to the processing illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8,as already described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the CPU 101prioritizes the display preparation processing for an image to bedisplayed on a new line, if a user performs scrolling on the indexdisplay screen to display images of a new line at a certain time whenthe display preparation processing for the image to be disposed on thepresently processed line is not yet completed.

Thus, the display control apparatus according to the present exemplaryembodiment can avoid the situation where a newly displayed screen doesnot include any image when the scroll speed is increased.

In other words, the display control apparatus according to the presentexemplary embodiment can display a relatively large number of imageseven when the scrolling is performed on the index display screen at ahigher speed.

Further, the display control apparatus according to the presentexemplary embodiment prioritizes the display preparation processing foran image positioned farther from the images having been alreadydisplayed on the pre-scroll screen, in layout order, than other imagesto be disposed on the same line, considering the scroll direction.

Therefore, users can immediately confirm a range of newly displayedimages while the scrolling is successively performed on the indexdisplay screen.

Accordingly, after a user performs a scroll instruction operation, theuser can easily determine the time to stop the scrolling. Further, thedisplay control apparatus according to the present exemplary embodimentcan reduce the number of images that are not yet displayed because arelatively large number of images can be displayed while the scrollingis performed on the index display screen.

Accordingly, the display control apparatus according to the presentexemplary embodiment can reduce the processing time used, after thescrolling is stopped, to display all of the remaining images to bedisplayed. Thus, it is unnecessary for users to wait for a long timeuntil all of the images are completely displayed after the scrolling isstopped.

Further, in the above-described exemplary embodiments, the scrolling isperformed in the up-and-down direction. However, the present inventionis similarly applicable to a scrolling that is performed in theright-and-left direction. Further, the present invention is applicableto any other scrolling to be performed in an arbitrary direction(including an oblique direction).

In this case, effects similar to those of the above-described exemplaryembodiment can be obtained by prioritizing the display processing for anewly displayed image over the display processing for images included inthe pre-scroll display range.

The buffer memory illustrated in FIG. 2A has upper and lower storageareas, each corresponding to one line, which are additionally providedabove and below the lines displayed on the display device 110.

However, it is useful to provide larger preliminary storage areas eachcomposed of a plurality of lines.

In this case, the CPU 101 continuously performs the display preparationprocessing for another images remaining in the preliminary area after itis determined that all the display targets have been displayed (YES instep S504 illustrated in FIG. 5).

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the buffer memory that includes widenedstorage areas each being composed of three lines, provided above andbelow the lines displayed on the display device 110.

A storage area to be copied to the display oriented VRAM when the lineoffset is zero is referred to as a “visible storage area.” Apreliminarily prepared storage area composed of three lines positionedabove the visible storage area is referred to as an “upper preliminarystorage area.” Another preliminarily prepared storage area composed ofthree lines positioned below the visible storage area is referred to asa “lower preliminary storage area.”

The CPU 101 performs the display preparation processing for images to bestored in the visible storage area according to the order described withreference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

Subsequently, the CPU 101 prioritizes the display preparation processingfor images to be disposed on a newly displayed line if the scrolling iscontinuously performed on the index display screen in the samedirection. The CPU 101 stores the display preparation completed imagesin the preliminary storage area.

For example, when the upward scrolling is performed on the index displayscreen, new images appear from the bottom in the animation displayed onthe display device 110. Namely, the hidden images disposed on the lowerline are newly displayed.

Therefore, if the visible storage area is filled with the displaypreparation completed images, additional images are stored in the lowerpreliminary storage area. Namely, the CPU 101 prioritizes the lowerpreliminary storage area over the upper preliminary storage area.

On the contrary, if the downward scrolling is performed on the indexdisplay screen, additional images are stored in the upper preliminarystorage area. Namely, the CPU 101 prioritizes the upper preliminarystorage area over the lower preliminary storage area.

Thus, the display control apparatus according to the present exemplaryembodiment can smoothly display images without interruption immediatelyafter the scrolling is started.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the size of each preliminarystorage area is set to be a half of the visible storage area. However,the size of each preliminary storage area can be arbitrarily determinedaccording to a momentary state of the system memory.

In the present exemplary embodiment, it is useful that the displaycontrol apparatus enables users to simultaneously switch a plurality ofimages displayed on the index display screen without using thescrolling.

For example, the display control apparatus is functionally operable toreplace all of the images disposed in an upper area ranging from thefirst line to the sixth line of the index display screen by the imagesdisposed in a lower area ranging from the seventh line to the twelfthline without performing the scrolling.

In this case, the display preparation processing for images to bedisplayed can be performed in any order that may be different from theabove-described order designated when the scrolling is performed on theindex display screen.

For example, when the switching of images not using the scrolling isperformed, it is useful to prioritize the display preparation processingfor an image positioned closely to the images having been displayedbefore switching because users can easily recognize the direction alongwhich the switching of images is successively performed.

For example, in the case where the images disposed in the upper arearanging from the first line to the sixth line of the index displayscreen are replaced by the images disposed in the lower area rangingfrom the seventh line to the twelfth line without performing thescrolling, it is useful to prioritize the display preparation processingfor the seventh line.

Further, when the images disposed in the area ranging from the firstline to the sixth line are replaced by images disposed in a hidden arearanging from the −5th line to the 0th line, it is useful to prioritizethe display preparation processing for the 0th line.

On the other hand, even when the switching of a plurality of imagesdisplayed on the index display is performed without performing thescrolling, it may also be useful to prioritize the display preparationprocessing for an image positioned farther from the images having beendisplayed before switching because users can immediately recognize thedestination of the switching of images and can determine whether tofurther perform switching of images.

Further, the number of images displayable on the index display screen isnot limited to the above-described example. It may be useful to switchthe number of simultaneously displayable images.

For example, according to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, animage group composed of six lines and seven columns is displayable onthe index display screen. However, the display control apparatus canswitch the number of simultaneously displayable images to an image groupcomposed of three lines and three columns or an image group composed often lines and ten columns.

When the number of simultaneously displayable images is switched to adifferent image group, the display preparation processing for images tobe displayed can be performed in any order that may be different fromthe above-described order designated when the scrolling is performed onthe index display screen.

For example, when the number of displayable images is switched, it isuseful to prioritize the display preparation processing for an imagepositioned closely to the images having been previously selected becauseusers can easily recognize the images having been previously selectedeven after the above-described switching is performed.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-describedspecific exemplary embodiments and can be modified in various wayswithout departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Further, each of the above-described exemplary embodiments is a mereexample of the present invention. The above-described exemplaryembodiments can be appropriately combined. The CPU 101 performs theabove-described processing described in each flowchart. However, aplurality of hardware modules may be used to cooperatively performsimilar processing.

Further, the digital camera described in the above-described exemplaryembodiments is an example of the display control apparatus according tothe present invention. For example, the display control apparatusaccording to the present invention is not limited to the above-describedexample. More specifically, the present invention is applicable to anyother display control apparatus enabling users to scroll a plurality ofimages on a screen, such as a personal computer, a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA), a portable telephone, a portable image viewer, adisplay device equipped printing apparatus, a digital photo frame, agame machine, or a music player.

Other Embodiments

Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of asystem or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out andexecutes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functionsof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method, the steps ofwhich are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory deviceto perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s). For thispurpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via anetwork or from a recording medium of various types serving as thememory device (e.g., computer-readable medium).

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus forcontrolling a display device to display images arranged in a matrixpattern on a screen of the display device comprising: a processor; amemory storing a program which, when executed by the processor, causesthe information processing apparatus to: select images arranged in linesin a range corresponding to the screen by performing scrolling; andperform a scroll display process based on a direction of the performedscrolling to display the selected images sequentially in a differentorder depending on a direction of the performed scrolling, wherein firstimages arranged in a first line and second images arranged in a secondline lower than the first line are selected and the first images and thesecond images are sequentially displayed in a first order correspondingto a direction of the performed scrolling in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move downward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed downward, such that at least one of the first images isdisplayed prior to a second image which has, among the second images,not been displayed on the screen, and wherein third images arranged in athird line and fourth images arranged in a fourth line upper than thethird line are selected and the third images and the fourth images aresequentially displayed in a second order corresponding to a direction ofthe performed scrolling in the scroll display process performed based onthe direction of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move upward on the screen by the scrolling being performedupward, such that at least one of the third images is displayed prior toa fourth image which has, among the fourth images, not been displayed onthe screen.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the programwhen executed by the processor further causes the apparatus to read animage from a storage medium; decode the image read from the storagemedium, resize the decoded image, store the resized image in a buffermemory, and copy the stored image, which is selected by the scrollingbeing performed, from the buffer memory into a memory area, wherein theimage copied into the memory area is displayed on the screen.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scroll display process isadditionally performed based on the direction of the performed scrollingto display the selected images arranged in the same line in a differentorder depending on the direction of the performed scrolling.
 4. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first line is an upper edgeline among the lines in which the selected images are arranged, whilethe displayed image or images move downward on the screen by thescrolling being performed downward and wherein the third line is a loweredge line among the lines in which the selected images are arranged,while the displayed image or images move upward on the screen by thescrolling being performed upward.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein fifth images arranged in a fifth line upper than the first lineand the second line are selected and the first images, the second imagesand the fifth images are sequentially displayed in the first ordercorresponding to the direction of the performed scrolling in the scrolldisplay process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move downward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed downward, such that at least oneof the fifth images is displayed prior to first images and second imageswhich have, among the first images and the second images, not beendisplayed on the screen, and wherein sixth images arranged in a sixthline lower than the third line and the fourth line are selected and thethird images, the fourth images and the sixth images are sequentiallydisplayed in the second order corresponding to the direction of theperformed scrolling in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move upward on the screen by the scrolling being performedupward, such that at least one of the sixth images is displayed prior tothird images and fourth images which have, among the third images andthe fourth images, not been displayed on the screen.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the second line is one line lower than thefirst line and the first images and the second images are sequentiallydisplayed in the first order in the scroll display process performedbased on the direction of the performed scrolling, while the displayedimage or images move downward on the screen by the scrolling beingperformed downward, such that the second image is displayed immediatelyafter all of the first images are displayed if images arranged in a linewhich is upper than the first line is not selected when all of the firstimages are displayed on the screen, and wherein the fourth line is oneline upper than the third line and the third images and the fourthimages are sequentially displayed in the second order in the scrolldisplay process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move upward on the screenby the scrolling being performed upward, such that the fourth image isdisplayed immediately after all of the third images are displayed ifimages arranged in a line which is lower than the third line is notselected when all of the third images are displayed on the screen. 7.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first images and thesecond images are sequentially displayed in the first order in thescroll display process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move downward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed downward, such that the secondimage is displayed after all of the first images are displayed on thescreen, and wherein the third images and the fourth images aresequentially displayed in the second order in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move upward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed upward, such that the fourth image is displayed afterall of the third images are displayed on the screen.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the displayed image or images move at aspeed based on a user's operation for performing scrolling.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 8, wherein the user's operation is acceptedby a touch panel and the scrolling is based on a position where thetouch panel is touched by the user.
 10. The apparatus according to claim1, wherein the program when executed by the processor further causes theapparatus to generate an image by using a photographing lens, an imagesensor and A/D converter, and wherein the generated image is arranged inthe matrix pattern and displayed on the screen.
 11. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a digital camera, apersonal computer, a personal digital assistant, a portable telephone,an image viewer, a printing apparatus, a digital photo frame, a gamemachine or a music player.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the lines in which the selected images are arranged aredetermined as target lines for performing the scroll display process andthe target lines are shifted by the scrolling being performed.
 13. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program when executed by theprocessor further causes the apparatus to set one of orders depending ona direction of the performed scrolling.
 14. An information processingapparatus for controlling a display device to display images arranged ina matrix pattern on a screen of the display device comprising: aprocessor; a memory storing a program which, when executed by theprocessor, causes the information processing apparatus to select imagesarranged in lines in a range corresponding to the screen by performingscrolling; and perform a scroll display process based on a direction ofthe performed scrolling to display the selected images sequentially in adifferent order depending on a direction of the performed scrolling,wherein first images arranged in a first line and second images arrangedin a second line located to the left of the first line are selected andthe first images and the second images are sequentially displayed in afirst order corresponding to a direction of the performed scrolling inthe scroll display process performed based on the direction of theperformed scrolling, while the displayed image or images move leftwardon the screen by the scrolling being performed leftward, such that atleast one of the first images is displayed prior to a second image whichhas, among the second images, not been displayed on the screen, andwherein third images arranged in a third line and fourth images arrangedin a fourth line located to the right of the third line are selected andthe third images and the fourth images are sequentially displayed in asecond order corresponding to a direction of the performed scrolling inthe scroll display process performed based on the direction of theperformed scrolling, while the displayed image or images move rightwardon the screen by the scrolling being performed rightward, such that atleast one of the third images is displayed prior to a fourth image whichhas, among the fourth images, not been displayed on the screen.
 15. Theapparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first line is a right edgeline among the lines in which the selected images are arranged, whilethe displayed image or images move leftward on the screen by thescrolling being performed leftward and wherein the third line is a leftedge line among the lines in which the selected images are arranged,while the displayed image or images move rightward on the screen by thescrolling being performed rightward.
 16. The apparatus according toclaim 14, wherein fifth images arranged in a fifth line located to theright of the first line and the second line are selected and the firstimages, the second images and the fifth images are sequentiallydisplayed in the first order corresponding to the direction of theperformed scrolling in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move leftward on the screen by the scrolling being performedleftward, such that at least one of the fifth images is displayed priorto first images and second images which have, among the first images andthe second images, not been displayed on the screen, and wherein sixthimages arranged in a sixth line located to the left of the third lineand fourth line are selected and the third images, the fourth images andthe sixth images are sequentially displayed in the second ordercorresponding to the direction of the performed scrolling in the scrolldisplay process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move rightward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed rightward, such that at leastone of the sixth images is displayed prior to third images and fourthimages which have, among the third images and the fourth images, notbeen displayed on the screen.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 14,wherein the second line is on the first line's immediate left and thefirst images and the second images are sequentially displayed in thefirst order in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move leftward on the screen by the scrolling being performedleftward, such that the second image is displayed immediately after allof the first images are displayed if images arranged in a line which ison the first line's right is not selected when all of the first imagesare displayed on the screen, and wherein the fourth line is the thirdline's immediate right and the third images and the fourth images aresequentially displayed in the second order in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move rightward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed rightward, such that the fourth image is displayedimmediately after all of the third images are displayed if imagesarranged in a line which is on the third line's left is not selectedwhen all of the third images are displayed on the screen.
 18. Theapparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first images and the secondimages are sequentially displayed in the first order in the scrolldisplay process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move leftward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed leftward, such that the secondimage is displayed after all of the first images are displayed on thescreen, and wherein the third images and the fourth images aresequentially displayed in the second order in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move rightward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed rightward, such that the fourth image is displayed afterall of the third images are displayed on the screen.
 19. The apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein the displayed image or images move at aspeed based on a user's operation for performing scrolling.
 20. Aninformation processing apparatus for controlling a display device todisplay images arranged in a matrix pattern on a screen of the displaydevice comprising: a processor; a memory storing a program which, whenexecuted by the processor, causes the information processing apparatusto: shift images which are included in a range corresponding to thescreen by performing scrolling; and perform a scroll display processbased on a direction of the performed scrolling to display the imagesincluded in the range sequentially in a different order depending on adirection of the performed scrolling, wherein first images arranged in afirst line and second images arranged in a second line lower than thefirst line are included in the range and the first images and the secondimages are sequentially displayed in a first order corresponding to adirection of the performed scrolling in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move downward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed downward, such that at least one of the first images isdisplayed prior to a second image which has, among the second images,not been displayed on the screen, and wherein third images arranged in athird line and fourth images arranged in a fourth line upper than thethird line are included in the range and the third images and the fourthimages are sequentially displayed in a second order corresponding to adirection of the performed scrolling in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move upward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed upward, such that at least one of the third images isdisplayed prior to a fourth image which has, among the fourth images,not been displayed on the screen.
 21. The apparatus according to claim20, wherein the program when executed by the processor further causesthe apparatus to read an image from a storage medium; decode the imageread from the storage medium, resize the decoded image, store theresized image in a buffer memory, and copy the stored image, which isincluded in the range by the scrolling being performed, from the buffermemory into a memory area, wherein the image copied into the memory areais displayed on the screen.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 20,wherein the scroll display process is additionally performed based onthe direction of the performed scrolling to display the images includedin the range and arranged in the same line in a different orderdepending on the direction of the performed scrolling.
 23. The apparatusaccording to claim 20, wherein the first line is an upper edge lineamong the lines in which the images included in the range are arranged,while the displayed image or images move downward on the screen by thescrolling being performed downward and wherein the third line is a loweredge line among the lines in which the images included in the range arearranged, while the displayed image or images move upward on the screenby the scrolling being performed upward.
 24. The apparatus according toclaim 20, wherein fifth images arranged in a fifth line upper than thefirst line and the second line are included in the range and the firstimages, the second images and the fifth images are sequentiallydisplayed in the first order corresponding to the direction of theperformed scrolling in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move downward on the screen by the scrolling being performeddownward, such that at least one of the fifth images is displayed priorto first images and second images which have, among the first images andthe second images, not been displayed on the screen, and wherein sixthimages arranged in a sixth line lower than the third line and the fourthline are included in the range and the third images, the fourth imagesand the sixth images are sequentially displayed in the second ordercorresponding to the direction of the performed scrolling in the scrolldisplay process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move upward on the screenby the scrolling being performed upward, such that at least one of thesixth images is displayed prior to third images and fourth images whichhave, among the third images and the fourth images, not been displayedon the screen.
 25. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein thesecond line is one line lower than the first line and the first imagesand the second images are sequentially displayed in the first order inthe scroll display process performed based on the direction of theperformed scrolling, while the displayed image or images move downwardon the screen by the scrolling being performed downward, such that thesecond image is displayed immediately after all of the first images aredisplayed if images arranged in a line which is upper than the firstline is not included in the range when all of the first images aredisplayed on the screen, and wherein the fourth line is one line upperthan the third line and the third images and the fourth images aresequentially displayed in the second order in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move upward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed upward, such that the fourth image is displayedimmediately after all of the third images are displayed if imagesarranged in a line which is lower than the third line is not included inthe range when all of the third images are displayed on the screen. 26.The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the first images and thesecond images are sequentially displayed in the first order in thescroll display process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move downward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed downward, such that the secondimage is displayed after all of the first images are displayed on thescreen, and wherein the third images and the fourth images aresequentially displayed in the second order in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move upward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed upward, such that the fourth image is displayed afterall of the third images are displayed on the screen.
 27. The apparatusaccording to claim 20, wherein the displayed image or images move at aspeed based on a user's operation for performing scrolling.
 28. Theapparatus according to claim 27, wherein the user's operation isaccepted by a touch panel and the scrolling is based on a position wherethe touch panel is touched by the user.
 29. The apparatus according toclaim 20, wherein the program when executed by the processor furthercauses the apparatus to generate an image by using a photographing lens,an image sensor and A/D converter, and wherein the generated image isarranged in the matrix pattern and displayed on the screen.
 30. Theapparatus according to claim 20, wherein the apparatus is a digitalcamera, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a portabletelephone, an image viewer, a printing apparatus, a digital photo frame,a game machine or a music player.
 31. The apparatus accordingly to claim20, wherein the lines in which the images included in the range arearranged are determined as target lines for performing the scrolldisplay process and the target lines are shifted by the scrolling beingperformed.
 32. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the programwhen executed by the processor further causes the apparatus to set oneof orders depending on a direction of the performed scrolling.
 33. Aninformation processing apparatus for controlling a display device todisplay images arranged in a matrix pattern on a screen of the displaydevice comprising: a processor; a memory storing a program which, whenexecuted by the processor, causes the information processing apparatusto shift images which are included in a range corresponding to thescreen by performing scrolling; and perform a scroll display processbased on a direction of the performed scrolling to display the imagesincluded in the range sequentially in a different order depending on adirection of the performed scrolling, wherein first images arranged in afirst line and second images arranged in a second line located to theleft of the first line are included in the range and the first imagesand the second images are sequentially displayed in a first ordercorresponding to a direction of the performed scrolling in the scrolldisplay process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move leftward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed leftward, such that at least oneof the first images is displayed prior to a second image which has,among the second images, not been displayed on the screen, and whereinthird images arranged in a third line and fourth images arranged in afourth line located to the right of the third line are included in therange and the third images and the fourth images are sequentiallydisplayed in a second order corresponding to a direction of theperformed scrolling in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move rightward on the screen by the scrolling being performedrightward, such that at least one of the third images is displayed priorto a fourth image which has, among the fourth images, not been displayedon the screen.
 34. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein thefirst line is a right edge line among the lines in which the imagesincluded in the range are arranged, while the displayed image or imagesmove leftward on the screen by the scrolling being performed leftwardand wherein the third line is a left edge line among the lines in whichthe images included in the range are arranged, while the displayed imageor images move rightward on the screen by the scrolling being performedrightward.
 35. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein fifth imagesarranged in a fifth line located to the right of the first line and thesecond line are included in the range and the first images, the secondimages and the fifth images are sequentially displayed in the firstorder corresponding to the direction of the performed scrolling in thescroll display process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move leftward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed leftward, such that at least oneof the fifth images is displayed prior to first images and second imageswhich have, among the first images and the second images, not beendisplayed on the screen, and wherein sixth images arranged in a sixthline located to the left of the third line and fourth line are includedin the range and the third images, the fourth images and the sixthimages are sequentially displayed in the second order corresponding tothe direction of the performed scrolling in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move rightward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed rightward, such that at least one of the sixth images isdisplayed prior to third images and fourth images which have, among thethird images and the fourth images, not been displayed on the screen.36. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the second line is onthe first line's immediate left and the first images and the secondimages are sequentially displayed in the first order in the scrolldisplay process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move leftward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed leftward, such that the secondimage is displayed immediately after all of the first images aredisplayed if images arranged in a line which is on the first line'sright is not selected when all of the first images are displayed on thescreen, and wherein the fourth line is the third line's immediate rightand the third images and the fourth images are sequentially displayed inthe second order in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move rightward on the screen by the scrolling being performedrightward, such that the fourth image is displayed immediately after allof the third images are displayed if images arranged in a line which ison the third line's left is not selected when all of the third imagesare displayed on the screen.
 37. The apparatus according to claim 33,wherein the first images and the second images are sequentiallydisplayed in the first order in the scroll display process performedbased on the direction of the performed scrolling, while the displayedimage or images move leftward on the screen by the scrolling beingperformed leftward, such that the second image is displayed after all ofthe first images are displayed on the screen, and wherein the thirdimages and the fourth images are sequentially displayed in the secondorder in the scroll display process performed based on the direction ofthe performed scrolling, while the displayed image or images moverightward on the screen by the scrolling being performed rightward, suchthat the fourth image is displayed after all of the third images aredisplayed on the screen.
 38. The apparatus according to claim 33,wherein the displayed image or images move at a speed based on a user'soperation for performing scrolling.
 39. A non-transitory computerreadable storage medium storing a computer-executable program ofinstructions for causing a computer to perform a method, for controllinga display device to display images arranged in a matrix pattern on ascreen, comprising: selecting images arranged in lines in a rangecorresponding to the screen by performing scrolling; and performing ascroll display process based on a direction of the performed scrollingto display the selected images sequentially in a different orderdepending on a direction of the performed scrolling, wherein firstimages arranged in a first line and second images arranged in a secondline lower than the first line are selected and the first images and thesecond images are sequentially displayed in a first order correspondingto a direction of the performed scrolling in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move downward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed downward, such that at least one of the first images isdisplayed prior to a second image which has, among the second images,not been displayed on the screen, and wherein third images arranged in athird line and fourth images arranged in a fourth line upper than thethird line are selected and the third images and the fourth images aresequentially displayed in a second order corresponding to a direction ofthe performed scrolling in the scroll display process performed based onthe direction of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move upward on the screen by the scrolling being performedupward, such that at least one of the third images is displayed prior toa fourth image which has, among the fourth images, not been displayed onthe screen.
 40. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediumaccording to claim 39, wherein the method further comprises reading animage from a storage medium; decoding the image read from the storagemedium, resizing the decoded image, storing the resized image in abuffer memory, and copying the stored image, which is selected by thescrolling being performed, from the buffer memory into a memory area,wherein the image copied into the memory area is displayed on thescreen.
 41. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediumaccording to claim 39, wherein the scroll display process isadditionally performed based on the direction of the performed scrollingto display the selected images arranged in the same line in a differentorder depending on the direction of the performed scrolling.
 42. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 39,wherein the first line is an upper edge line among the lines in whichthe selected images are arranged, while the displayed image or imagesmove downward on the screen by the scrolling being performed downwardand wherein the third line is a lower edge line among the lines in whichthe selected images are arranged, while the displayed image or imagesmove upward on the screen by the scrolling being performed upward. 43.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim39, wherein fifth images arranged in a fifth line upper than the firstline and the second line are selected and the first images, the secondimages and the fifth images are sequentially displayed in the firstorder corresponding to the direction of the performed scrolling in thescroll display process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move downward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed downward, such that at least oneof the fifth images is displayed prior to first images and second imageswhich have, among the first images and the second images, not beendisplayed on the screen, and wherein sixth images arranged in a sixthline lower than the third line and the fourth line are selected and thethird images, the fourth images and the sixth images are sequentiallydisplayed in the second order corresponding to the direction of theperformed scrolling in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move upward on the screen by the scrolling being performedupward, such that at least one of the sixth images is displayed prior tothird images and fourth images which have, among the third images andthe fourth images, not been displayed on the screen.
 44. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 39,wherein the second line is one line lower than the first line and thefirst images and the second images are sequentially displayed in thefirst order in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move downward on the screen by the scrolling being performeddownward, such that the second image is displayed immediately after allof the first images are displayed if images arranged in a line which isupper than the first line is not selected when all of the first imagesare displayed on the screen, and wherein the fourth line is one lineupper than the third line and the third images and the fourth images aresequentially displayed in the second order in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move upward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed upward, such that the fourth image is displayedimmediately after all of the third images are displayed if imagesarranged in a line which is lower than the third line is not selectedwhen all of the third images are displayed on the screen.
 45. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 39,wherein the first images and the second images are sequentiallydisplayed in the first order in the scroll display process performedbased on the direction of the performed scrolling, while the displayedimage or images move downward on the screen by the scrolling beingperformed downward, such that the second image is displayed after all ofthe first images are displayed on the screen, and wherein the thirdimages and the fourth images are sequentially displayed in the secondorder in the scroll display process performed based on the direction ofthe performed scrolling, while the displayed image or images move upwardon the screen by the scrolling being performed upward, such that thefourth image is displayed after all of the third images are displayed onthe screen.
 46. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediumaccording to claim 39, wherein the displayed image or images move at aspeed based on a user's operation for performing scrolling.
 47. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 46,wherein the user's operation is accepted by a touch panel and thescrolling is based on a position where the touch panel is touched by theuser.
 48. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium accordingto claim 39, wherein the method further comprises: generating an imageby using a photographing lens, an image sensor and A/D converter, andwherein the generated image is arranged in the matrix pattern anddisplayed on the screen.
 49. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium according to claim 39, wherein the computer is in adigital camera, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, aportable telephone, an image viewer, a printing apparatus, a digitalphoto frame, a game machine or a music player.
 50. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium according to claim 39, wherein thelines in which the selected images are arranged are determined as targetlines for performing the scroll display process and the target lines areshifted by the scrolling being performed.
 51. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium according to claim 39, wherein theprogram when executed by the processor further causes the apparatus toset one of orders depending on a direction of the performed scrolling.52. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing acomputer-executable program of instructions for causing a computer toperform a method, for controlling a display device to display imagesarranged in a matrix pattern on a screen, comprising: selecting imagesarranged in lines in a range corresponding to the screen by performingscrolling; and performing a scroll display process based on a directionof the performed scrolling to display the selected images sequentiallyin a different order depending on a direction of the performedscrolling, wherein first images arranged in a first line and secondimages arranged in a second line located to the left of the first lineare selected and the first images and the second images are sequentiallydisplayed in a first order corresponding to a direction of the performedscrolling in the scroll display process performed based on the directionof the performed scrolling, while the displayed image or images moveleftward on the screen by the scrolling being performed leftward, suchthat at least one of the first images is displayed prior to a secondimage which has, among the second images, not been displayed on thescreen, and wherein third images arranged in a third line and fourthimages arranged in a fourth line located to the right of the third lineare selected and the third images and the fourth images are sequentiallydisplayed in a second order corresponding to a direction of theperformed scrolling in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move rightward on the screen by the scrolling being performedrightward, such that at least one of the third images is displayed priorto a fourth image which has, among the fourth images, not been displayedon the screen.
 53. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediumaccording to claim 52, wherein the first line is a right edge line amongthe lines in which the selected images are arranged, while the displayedimage or images move leftward on the screen by the scrolling beingperformed leftward and wherein the third line is a left edge line amongthe lines in which the selected images are arranged, while the displayedimage or images move rightward on the screen by the scrolling beingperformed rightward.
 54. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium according to claim 52, wherein fifth images arranged in a fifthline located to the right of the first line and the second line areselected and the first images, the second images and the fifth imagesare sequentially displayed in the first order corresponding to thedirection of the performed scrolling in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move leftward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed leftward, such that at least one of the fifth images isdisplayed prior to first images and second images which have, among thefirst images and the second images, not been displayed on the screen,and wherein sixth images arranged in a sixth line located to the left ofthe third line and fourth line are selected and the third images, thefourth images and the sixth images are sequentially displayed in thesecond order corresponding to the direction of the performed scrollingin the scroll display process performed based on a direction of theperformed scrolling, while the displayed image or images move rightwardon the screen by the scrolling being performed rightward, such that atleast one of the sixth images is displayed prior to third images andfourth images which have, among the third images and the fourth images,not been displayed on the screen.
 55. The non-transitory computerreadable storage medium according to claim 52, wherein the second lineis on the first line's immediate left and the first images and thesecond images are sequentially displayed in the first order in thescroll display process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move leftward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed leftward, such that the secondimage is displayed immediately after all of the first images aredisplayed if images arranged in a line which is on the first line'sright is not selected when all of the first images are displayed on thescreen, and wherein the fourth line is the third line's immediate rightand the third images and the fourth images are sequentially displayed inthe second order in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move rightward on the screen by the scrolling being performedrightward, such that the fourth image is displayed immediately after allof the third images are displayed if images arranged in a line which ison the third line's left is not selected when all of the third imagesare displayed on the screen.
 56. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium according to claim 52, wherein the first images and thesecond images are sequentially displayed in the first order in thescroll display process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move leftward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed leftward, such that the secondimage is displayed after all of the first images are displayed on thescreen, and wherein the third images and the fourth images aresequentially displayed in the second order in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move rightward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed rightward, such that the fourth image is displayed afterall of the third images are displayed on the screen.
 57. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 52,wherein the displayed image or images move at a speed based on a user'soperation for performing scrolling.
 58. A non-transitory computerreadable storage medium storing a computer-executable program ofinstructions for causing a computer to perform a method, for controllinga display device to display images arranged in a matrix pattern on ascreen, comprising: shifting images which are included in a rangecorresponding to the screen by performing scrolling; performing a scrolldisplay process based on a direction of the performed scrolling todisplay the images included in the range sequentially in a differentorder depending on a direction of the performed scrolling, wherein firstimages arranged in a first line and second images arranged in a secondline lower than the first line are included in the range and the firstimages and the second images are sequentially displayed in a first ordercorresponding to a direction of the performed scrolling in the scrolldisplay process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move downward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed downward, such that at least oneof the first images is displayed prior to a second image which has,among the second images, not been displayed on the screen, and whereinthird images arranged in a third line and fourth images arranged in afourth line upper than the third line are included in the range and thethird images and the fourth images are sequentially displayed in asecond order corresponding to a direction of the performed scrolling inthe scroll display process performed based on the direction of theperformed scrolling, while the displayed image or images move upward onthe screen by the scrolling being performed upward, such that at leastone of the third images is displayed prior to a fourth image which has,among the fourth images, not been displayed on the screen.
 59. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 58,wherein the method further comprises: reading an image from a storagemedium; decoding the image read from the storage medium, resizing thedecoded image, storing the resized image in a buffer memory, and copyingthe stored image, which is included in the range by the scrolling beingperformed, from the buffer memory into a memory area, wherein the imagecopied into the memory area is displayed on the screen.
 60. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 58,wherein the scroll display process is additionally performed based onthe direction of the performed scrolling to display the images includedin the range and arranged in the same line in a different orderdepending on the direction of the performed scrolling.
 61. The apparatusaccording to claim 58, wherein the first line is an upper edge lineamong the lines in which the images included in the range are arranged,while the displayed image or images move downward on the screen by thescrolling being performed downward and wherein the third line is a loweredge line among the lines in which the images included in the range arearranged, while the displayed image or images move upward on the screenby the scrolling being performed upward.
 62. The non-transitory computerreadable storage medium according to claim 58, wherein fifth imagesarranged in a fifth line upper than the first line and the second lineare included in the range and the first images, the second images andthe fifth images are sequentially displayed in the first ordercorresponding to the direction of the performed scrolling in the scrolldisplay process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move downward on thescreen by the scrolling being performed downward, such that at least oneof the fifth images is displayed prior to first images and second imageswhich have, among the first images and the second images, not beendisplayed on the screen, and wherein sixth images arranged in a sixthline lower than the third line and the fourth line are included in therange and the third images, the fourth images and the sixth images aresequentially displayed in the second order corresponding to thedirection of the performed scrolling in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move upward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed upward, such that at least one of the sixth images isdisplayed prior to third images and fourth images which have, among thethird images and the fourth images, not been displayed on the screen.63. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according toclaim 58, wherein the second line is one line lower than the first lineand the first images and the second images are sequentially displayed inthe first order in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move downward on the screen by the scrolling being performeddownward, such that the second image is displayed immediately after allof the first images are displayed if images arranged in a line which isupper than the first line is not included in the range when all of thefirst images are displayed on the screen, and wherein the fourth line isone line upper than the third line and the third images and the fourthimages are sequentially displayed in the second order in the scrolldisplay process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move upward on the screenby the scrolling being performed upward, such that the fourth image isdisplayed immediately after all of the third images are displayed ifimages arranged in a line which is lower than the third line is notincluded in the range when all of the third images are displayed on thescreen.
 64. The apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the firstimages and the second images are sequentially displayed in the firstorder in the scroll display process performed based on the direction ofthe performed scrolling, while the displayed image or images movedownward on the screen by the scrolling being performed downward, suchthat the second image is displayed after all of the first images aredisplayed on the screen, and wherein the third images and the fourthimages are sequentially displayed in the second order in the scrolldisplay process performed based on the direction of the performedscrolling, while the displayed image or images move upward on the screenby the scrolling being performed upward, such that the fourth image isdisplayed after all of the third images are displayed on the screen. 65.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim58, wherein the displayed image or images move at a speed based on auser's operation for performing scrolling.
 66. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium according to claim 65, wherein theuser's operation is accepted by a touch panel and the scrolling is basedon a position where the touch panel is touched by the user.
 67. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 58,wherein the method further comprises: generating an image by using aphotographing lens, an image sensor and A/D converter, and wherein thegenerated image is arranged in the matrix pattern and displayed on thescreen.
 68. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediumaccording to claim 58, wherein the apparatus is a digital camera, apersonal computer, a personal digital assistant, a portable telephone,an image viewer, a printing apparatus, a digital photo frame, a gamemachine or a music player.
 69. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium according to claim 58, wherein the lines in which theimages included in the range are arranged are determined as target linesfor performing the scroll display process and the target lines areshifted by the scrolling being performed.
 70. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium according to claim 58, wherein theprogram when executed by the processor further causes the apparatus toset one of orders depending on a direction of the performed scrolling.71. A method for controlling a display device to display images arrangedin a matrix pattern on a screen of the display device comprising:selecting images arranged in lines in a range corresponding to thescreen by performing scrolling; and performing a scroll display processbased on a direction of the performed scrolling to display the selectedimages sequentially in a different order depending on a direction of theperformed scrolling, wherein first images arranged in a first line andsecond images arranged in a second line lower than the first line areselected and the first images and the second images are sequentiallydisplayed in a first order corresponding to a direction of the performedscrolling in the scroll display process performed based on the directionof the performed scrolling, while the displayed image or images movedownward on the screen by the scrolling being performed downward, suchthat at least one of the first images is displayed prior to a secondimage which has, among the second images, not been displayed on thescreen, and wherein third images arranged in a third line and fourthimages arranged in a fourth line upper than the third line are selectedand the third images and the fourth images are sequentially displayed ina second order corresponding to a direction of the performed scrollingin the scroll display process performed based on the direction of theperformed scrolling, while the displayed image or images move upward onthe screen by the scrolling being performed upward, such that at leastone of the third images is displayed prior to a fourth image which has,among the fourth images, not been displayed on the screen.
 72. A methodfor controlling a display device to display images arranged in a matrixpattern on a screen of the display device comprising: selecting imagesarranged in lines in a range corresponding to the screen by performingscrolling; and performing a scroll display process based on a directionof the performed scrolling to display the selected images sequentiallyin a different order depending on a direction of the performedscrolling, wherein first images arranged in a first line and secondimages arranged in a second line located to the left of the first lineare selected and the first images and the second images are sequentiallydisplayed in a first order corresponding to a direction of the performedscrolling in the scroll display process performed based on the directionof the performed scrolling, while the displayed image or images moveleftward on the screen by the scrolling being performed leftward, suchthat at least one of the first images is displayed prior to a secondimage which has, among the second images, not been displayed on thescreen, and wherein third images arranged in a third line and fourthimages arranged in a fourth line located to the right of the third lineare selected and the third images and the fourth images are sequentiallydisplayed in a second order corresponding to a direction of theperformed scrolling in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move rightward on the screen by the scrolling being performedrightward, such that at least one of the third images is displayed priorto a fourth image which has, among the fourth images, not been displayedon the screen.
 73. A method for controlling a display device to displayimages arranged in a matrix pattern on a screen of the display devicecomprising: shifting images which are included in a range correspondingto the screen by performing scrolling; performing a scroll displayprocess based on a direction of the performed scrolling to display theimages included in the range sequentially in a different order dependingon a direction of the performed scrolling, wherein first images arrangedin a first line and second images arranged in a second line lower thanthe first line are included in the range and the first images and thesecond images are sequentially displayed in a first order correspondingto a direction of the performed scrolling in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move downward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed downward, such that at least one of the first images isdisplayed prior to a second image which has, among the second images,not been displayed on the screen, and wherein third images arranged in athird line and fourth images arranged in a fourth line upper than thethird line are included in the range and the third images and the fourthimages are sequentially displayed in a second order corresponding to adirection of the performed scrolling in the scroll display processperformed based on the direction of the performed scrolling, while thedisplayed image or images move upward on the screen by the scrollingbeing performed upward, such that at least one of the third images isdisplayed prior to a fourth image which has, among the fourth images,not been displayed on the screen.
 74. A method for controlling a displaydevice to display images arranged in a matrix pattern on a screen of thedisplay device comprising: shifting images which are included in a rangecorresponding to the screen by performing scrolling; and performing ascroll display process based on a direction of the performed scrollingto display the images included in the range sequentially in a differentorder depending on a direction of the performed scrolling, wherein firstimages arranged in a first line and second images arranged in a secondline located to the left of the first line are included in the range andthe first images and the second images are sequentially displayed in afirst order corresponding to a direction of the performed scrolling inthe scroll display process performed based on the direction of theperformed scrolling, while the displayed image or images move leftwardon the screen by the scrolling being performed leftward, such that atleast one of the first images is displayed prior to a second image whichhas, among the second images, not been displayed on the screen, andwherein third images arranged in a third line and fourth images arrangedin a fourth line located to the right of the third line are included inthe range and the third images and the fourth images are sequentiallydisplayed in a second order corresponding to a direction of theperformed scrolling in the scroll display process performed based on thedirection of the performed scrolling, while the displayed image orimages move rightward on the screen by the scrolling being performedrightward, such that at least one of the third images is displayed priorto a fourth image which has, among the fourth images, not been displayedon the screen.